Safe Drug Drop-Off Program

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station is participating in the Safe Drug Drop-Off program. The program originated at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Lomita Station and has since expanded to include all Sheriff's Stations in Los Angeles County. The program consist of the installation of three safe drop storage containers in front of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station.

At a press conference in front of Lomita Sheriff's Station, Sheriff Leroy D. Baca was joined by a number of public officials in announcing the new program. The purpose of the program is to ensure that residents have a safe way to dispose of expired or unused prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, syringes, and other controlled substances -- safely and anonymously.

The common practice of storing unused or expired medications at home can lead to improper or illegal use, sales, or distribution if they fall into the wrong hands. The inadvertent ingestion of these medications by children can have deadly consequences. Still others flush the medicines down the drain which can have an adverse impact on our environment. Waste water treatment plants are not able to test or treat for pharmaceuticals. They can end up in our rivers, streams, lakes, oceans, and groundwater system.

The Sheriff’s Department is encouraging individuals who wish to dispose of medication or any narcotics, to bring them to the three white narcotics safe drop storage containers located at the front entrance of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station.

There, residents can deposit their expired medication or narcotics anonymously, in one of the designated white containers. The program will be available at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station indefinitely.

"The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is always looking for innovative new ways to enhance public safety and improve our quality of life," said Captain Anthony La Berge of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station. "This program provides a safe way to dispose of unused or unwanted medications and keep them out of our community," he added.